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Maya Smith/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board signs off on facility upgrades, hears update on state legislation
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved some capital project bids and received updates on state legislation that could impact schools in the district.
Maya Smith/Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board signs off on facility upgrades, hears update on state legislation
The Lawrence school board on Monday approved some capital project bids and received updates on state legislation that could impact schools in the district.
MORE USD 497 & K-12 EDUCATION NEWS
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to hear COVID update, consider goals for cash reserves and more
The Lawrence school board — including two new members — on Monday will hear an update from the superintendent about COVID-19, consider recommendations for contingency funds in the district’s budget and more.
Organizers promise to keep fighting for gymnastics program in Lawrence public schools
Supporters of Firelions gymnastics at the Lawrence school district’s two high schools have ramped up efforts to keep the program afloat with the launch of an online petition. They’re also vowing to make “a large presence” at the school board meeting Monday.
Lawrence parents and teachers worry about risks, burden of omicron as return to school looms
Schools will be back in session Thursday despite record numbers of COVID-19 infections in Douglas County, leaving parents and teachers wondering how the district plans to keep people safe and buildings staffed.
Lawrence Schools Foundation/Contributed Photo
Free State High School teacher honored with Dedication to Education Award for ‘never giving up on students’
Erin McDaneld-Campbell, a Free State High School special education teacher, was selected to receive the 2021 Dedication to Education Award and the $5,000 check that goes with it.
Lawrence school board vets ideas to fill multimillion-dollar budget gap
Many questions and few answers came out of the Lawrence school board’s review of potential cost-savings ideas Monday during a special meeting to discuss the district’s budget deficit.
Tricia Masenthin/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to hold special meeting to discuss budget-cut proposals
Inside 300 pages of cost-trimming ideas for the Lawrence school board’s consideration are proposals to combine low-enrollment classes at high schools, restructure middle schools and more.
Tricia Masenthin/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district says it hasn’t received any credible threats of violence amid nationwide fears
Joining school districts across the country, Lawrence Public Schools on Thursday sent a message to families regarding social media posts “containing vague threats of mass violence to schools” on Friday.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Proposals to help balance Lawrence school district budget include school closures, reductions of positions
The public got its first glimpse of the details behind more than two dozen budget-trimming ideas for the Lawrence school district Wednesday afternoon.
Tricia Masenthin/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school district explains Montessori idea for New York Elementary; budget committee to hold meeting today
There is no current proposal or recommendation to close New York Elementary School, according to Lawrence Public Schools spokesperson Julie Boyle.
Mac Moore / KSHSAA Covered
Lawrence school board hears details about budget impact, support for gymnastics; approves legislative priorities and more
Budget cuts were the central focus of district staff as well as the public commenters who called for reductions of administrators’ six-digit salaries at Monday’s Lawrence school board meeting.
Lawrence schools see wave of alleged threats, alleged false reports of violence; police investigating another threat late Monday
Recent incidents and their aftermath at Billy Mills Middle School have some families on edge with concerns about student safety. On top of that, students at two other middle schools allegedly made false reports of a shooting and a threat on Monday, and police were investigating a threat to a Lawrence elementary school Monday night.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times
Lawrence school board to consider replacement of band uniforms, legislative priorities and more
The Lawrence school board on Monday will review its legislative priorities for 2022, consider replacing band uniforms for one of the high schools and more.
Tricia Masenthin / The Lawrence Times
Eight months later: The aftermath of closing Kennedy Elementary School
Eight months after the Lawrence school board voted to close Kennedy Elementary’s K-5 classrooms, students and staff are grappling with changes and uneven class sizes.
August Rudisell/The Lawrence Times file photo
Looking ahead: Plans still in flux for Kennedy Early Childhood Center
The Lawrence school district continues efforts to finalize plans eight months after the school board’s vote to close Kennedy Elementary School to grades K-5.
KD Rudisell / Contributed Photo
Photos: Lawrence students hold protests against district proposal to nix gymnastics
Students at Free State High School held a walkout Wednesday in protest of district administrators’ tentative plan to end the high school gymnastics program.
